Mitt Romney announced late last week that he would support Cruz in the Utah caucuses. | Getty

Romney robocall: A vote for Kasich is a vote for Trump

By NICK GASS

03/21/2016 12:01 PM EDT

A vote for John Kasich is a vote for Donald Trump, Mitt Romney is telling prospective voters in Utah and Arizona ahead of Tuesday contests in those states.

"This is a time for Republicans across the spectrum to unite behind Ted. He is the only Republican candidate who can defeat Donald Trump," Romney says in the recording, which plays the back-to-back calls from Utah and Arizona. "And at this point, a vote for John Kasich is a vote for Donald Trump," Romney says, echoing a line that the Cruz campaign has employed in recent weeks as the race has narrowed and delegate math has tightened Trump's grip on the race.

Romney announced late last week that he would support Cruz in the Utah caucuses.

Touting Cruz as someone who "has spent his life defending the Constitution and the Bill of Rights," Romney said the Texas senator will "fight to bring back jobs to America and raise wages for everyone."

"Ted will be a strong commander in chief, who will keep America safe. I’ll be voting for Ted Cruz this Tuesday, and I’d encourage you to do the same thing," Romney concluded.